OTE Training Camp 2020

Mallorca 2020

roaD BooK

rUlE #18

Don’t suffer kit confusion.

Come to the island prepared.

4 & 7 NIGHT ScHEDUlE

Find out what to expect from your time on the island on your 4 or 7 night camp.

ToP TIPS!

Get the most out of your week with our comprehensive advice on how to survive.

Vol.4

9 - 16 OCTOBER 2020 HOME OF THE PROS

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The perfect combination of a postseason cycling holiday to prolong the UK summer and a pre-winter solid block of riding to set you up for long days in the saddle back home.

Mallorca 2020

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Dear Riders, We think you’ll all concur, the UK 2019-2020 winter has been totally s**t for cyclists.

Storms have quashed our cycling plans weekend after weekend. We’ve all become far too familiar with the four walls of our garage, as we pedal furiously on our indoor trainer in hope to regain some sort of fitness come spring. Luckily you’ve had the common sense to prebook a warm-weather training camp with us. The aim of our training camp isn’t to fill our social media feeds with blue-sky riding snaps at the envy our buddies back home - although we avidly encourage this for smug bragging rights or to scare the competition back home.

We’re in Mallorca to eat up the miles we’ve been missing out on at home, to hit some mountain climbs unlike any back home, improve our fuelling and recovery strategies, learn a thing or two from our ride leaders, and to enjoy a cycling holiday with like-minded people. To use the cliche, we aim to eat, sleep, ride, repeat; no work distractions or family commitments to come between us and our bikes. With that in mind, the Struggle Events Team are here to make your trip as hassle-free as possible so you can concentrate on your cycling. In this road book you’ll find everything you need to know ahead of the camp. If you have any questions or need any help now or during the camp, don’t hesitate to ask.

Matt & Victoria Struggle Events | hq@ridethestruggle.com www.otesports.co.uk

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Roger Cutler - Camp Rider “I learned so much at the OTE training camp and I met so many inspirational riders. We were a massive cycling family on the greatest cycling holiday.

I can’t wait to go back in 2020!” www.otesports.co.uk

www.ridethestruggle.com

Mallorca 2020

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Camp Goals

The purpose of a training camp is training overload; a solid block of riding - day in day out.

It’s also a cycling holiday; a chance to ditch the desk and ride your bike every day, stop for a cafe con leche and a bocadillo at your leisure and enjoy the company of likeminded riders.

The itinerary of the camp is intense and every day is different: Some days are ideal for long, fast group rides, which will build endurance and enhance your group riding and bike handling skills. You’ll gain experience of riding in the wheels and how to conserve energy and help others. Our ride leaders are extremely experienced, skillful cyclists, so watch, learn and ask questions.

Other days we’ll head to the mountains.

This will give every rider the opportunity to climb at their own pace. The mountains of Mallorca are ideal for enhancing your pacing skills and perfecting your descending. You can use the mountains as an opportunity for a long interval session but remember, the mountains are still part of a long day. Don’t ride too hard and burn out 30 miles from home.

Top Tips

You don’t need to be King of the Mountains every day. Pick and choose your moments to ride hard and to kick back. It’s a long week so conserve your energy.

The week can take its toll. Don’t peak too early and burn yourself out towards the latter part of the week as we will be building up to some hard rides.

Andy Singleton - Camp Rider “Great organisation, great ride leaders, great hotel, amazing food and a really productive training week. That’s why I

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signed up straight away for 2020.” www.ridethestruggle.com

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Team Work

Every rider is different and will feel different from one day to the next. You may be feeling strong on the days a fellow group member is struggling - and vise versa. Cycling is a team sport. Be prepared to work as a team. Each group will have a ride leader and a ride support rider.

However, they don’t have eyes in the back of their heads. If you find yourself towards the back of the group with a rider struggling to hold the wheel please shout up and don’t let the rider drop off the back.

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Mallorca 2020

ROAD BOOK

What to Pack?!

• Shorts and jerseys • Gilet • Long-sleeve jersey • Base layer • Waterproof jacket • Arm/leg warmers • Mitts • Socks • Cycling shoes • Helmet • Water bottles • Spare inner tubes • Tools: pump, tyre levers, multi-tool • Bike (if not hiring). Please make sure it is

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in full working order and has been serviced.

• Bike computer/Garmin • Pedals (if required) • Passport • Boarding passes • EHIC • Travel insurance documents covering you for medical/accident cover • Energy bars, gels and powder • Protein bars/drink • Chamois cream!!!

• Ibuprofen • Casual clothing • Coat (evenings are surprising cold) • Travel wash/washing machine tablets

Although mostly shorts-andjersey weather, cafe stops or lateafternoon mountain descents can get chilly. Please come prepared with a gilet, arm warmers, a buff and a rain cape at the very least.

There’s various ways to fashion a blanket at a Mallorcan cafe stop! How would you wear yours?

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Mallorca 2020

ROAD BOOK

Arriving 1. On arriving at Palma Airport, retrieve your luggage from the luggage belt. If you are bringing your own bike this will be available for collection at another area (usually the very end of the luggage hall).

2. Leave via Exit C where you will be greeted by the team. If you do not see an OTE representative holding up a branded sign please do not move from Exit C. 3. You will then be transfered from the airport to the hotel. On arrival

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at the hotel, check in at the desk and retrieve your room key and bike store key.

4. There will be water provided in your room for the first night. Please DO NOT drink the tap water.

5. You will need to build your bike or collect your hire bike. Depending upon your arrival time you’ll then have chance to go for a leg loosener or join the organised ride.

IMPORTANT: The welcome meeting will then be held after dinner in the dining room at 20:30.

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Mallorca 2020

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A Typical Day

You’ll find our reserved OTE Training Camp tables in the dining room where we all meet for breakfast every morning. Please don’t wear your cycling kit to the dining hall. Following breakfast there will be time to change into your kit before the rides, which begin promptly at 9:30am from outside the bike room. We’ll then assemble into groups for the day and set off on our ride.

Saturday’s ride will leave at 10:30am from outside the bike room at the hotel, giving Friday’s late-comers the opportunity to collect hire bikes if necessary.

Following the ride will be time to shower, change, upload your pictures of the day and catch up with people back home, before we meet in the dining room for one of our favourite parts of the day... dinner! You can then enjoy a drink at the hotel bar before hitting the hay ready for another day in the saddle.

All groups will meet for lunch most days at our chosen cafe. These are inexpensive, but please ensure you bring lunch money with you each day. Water to refill your bottles will be provided at lunch stops by your ride leaders. DON’T drink tap water.

You will also need any other energy fuel required to make it to/from the lunch stop. Everyone will receive an OTE starter pack. You can also get 25% off online at www.otesports.co.uk using the code: OTETRAININGCAMP

Rebecca Spain - Camp Rider 2019 was the perfect balance between a holiday and a training camp. I can’t wait for the 2020 camp to push myself harder.

www.otesports.co.uk

www.ridethestruggle.com

Mallorca 2020

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Etiquette

We ride in groups two abreast where safe to do so, rotating around the group to give everyone a turn on the front. If you are unfamiliar with group riding fear not; our first ride of the camp is designed to help all riders familiarise themselves with group riding and practice this skill.

You can also watch this guide: http://bit. ly/2lrm4Xw

If you would like to miss a turn on the front please rotate to the front of the group when it is your turn to do so. Then keep rotating off the front again calling change to indicate so. Do not attempt to move across the lines in the group unless safe to do so and indicating your

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intention. When on the front of the group, please do not ‘half wheel’ (ride slightly ahead of) the rider next to you.

This will only push up the pace and make the ride uncomfortable for your fellow rider. If you are feeling particularly strong you will have plenty of opportunities to push yourself at other points on the rides.

Calls: Change = rider changing on the front Car down = car approaching from ahead Car back = car approaching from behind Rider down = cyclist approaching ahead Hole/Rock = look out for this hazard Clear = safe to go (at a junction or roundabout). Don’t rely on the call.

Always look for yourself.

Slowing/Easy = slow down Stopping = the group is about to stop Single out/line out = single file Mile off = Knock a mph off the pace Out = Move out for an obstruction These calls are to be passed up and down the group so if you hear the call please repeat it.

Hand Signals: Please point out any hazards in the road to your fellow cyclists. If you are uncomfortable taking your hands off the bars please use the calls above.

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Mallorca 2020

ROAD BOOK

Safety

Wearing a helmet is compulsory. You will be stopped and fined by police if seen riding without one.

REMEMBER to ride on the right-hand side of the road.

We will ride two abreast where safe to do so but in some parts of the island you will see signs indicating you must ride single file. Please do not ignore these. And NEVER ride three abreast.

When descending, everyone’s bike handling capabilities are different. There are lots of hairpins when coming down off the mountain. Please descend at your

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own comfortable pace. You will not be left behind if you descend slower than other members of the group. We regroup at the top AND bottom of climbs.

You are cycling at your own risk. You must rely on your own ability in dealing with all hazards, must manage your own speed accordingly and must ride in a manner which is safe for yourself and others.

You are responsible for your own safety and you must ride responsibly to ensure the safety of other riders and road users.

You must obey the highway code and be conscientious towards other cyclists and road users.

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Meet The Team

Matt Mannakee

Camp Director & Group C Ride Support Rider

Victoria Tremlin

Camp Director & Group B Ride Support Rider

Darryl Leese

Andy Yeoman

Group A Ride Leader

Antony Stapleton Group C Ride Leader

Group B Ride Leader

Jean Croft

Group A Ride Support Rider

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24/05/2020

108 MILES / 9,430 FT / 7 CLIMBS

05/07/2020

112 MILES / 10,193 FT / 6 CLIMBS

DALES “One of the best events in the UK”

- Cycling Plus Magazine

MOORS “SOMETHING TO ASPIRE TO” - Cycling WEEKLY

YOUR FIRST OR YOUR FASTEST 100 Miles.

12/09/2020

ENTER NOW

POWERED BY

@struggleevents

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Mallorca 2020

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Friday 20 March Welcome to Mallorca

You’ll be greeted at the airport (Exit C) by the OTE Training Camp team and whisked off to the hotel to begin your week in paradise! On arrival at the hotel, check in, collect your hire bike or build your bike in the bike room (not your bedroom) and take it for a shake-down spin. We don’t suggest surging out for a tough ride on day one. For morning arrivals, there is the option of a group ride which will leave the bike room at 15:00 with our Ride Leader Antony. We’ll enjoy a 30-mile where you can sip your first Cafe con Leche, top up your glycogen stores with Mallorcan almond cake and transport yourself into Mallorca-mode.

Those on the four-night camp might like to venture further for a ride to the Lighthouse via Puerto Pollensa. We’ll all meet in the dining room at our OTE tables for dinner before our welcome meeting at 20:30pm.

Saturday 21 March Team Lunch in Porreres

It’s become an annual tradition to start the week with a big group lunch at Porreres, where we get to know one another. But the focus of this ride isn’t just pleasantries; it gives us the opportunity to shake out our legs, get accustomed to ride comfortably in a group - on the right side of the road and get the staff acquainted with each rider’s capabilities. By the end of the day we hope to have each group riding like a well-oiled machine. Our route will take us into the heart of the island through traditional Mallorcan villages. You’ll spot the south coast of the island, before turning back North for lunch. We’ll head briskly North back from Porreres to Alcudia Port in time for our second tradition of the day: catching the last 50kms of the Milan-San Remo over a well-deserved cold beer.

Mileage: ~80miles Lunch: ~50 miles

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Mallorca 2020

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Sunday 22 March Meet The Mountains New Route Alert!

Today we hit the hills! This epic route will take us on a full scale exploration of the lesser-known southern chain of mountains of Mallorca; Serres de Llevant.

This is a new route for 2020, so both firsttimers and seasoned camp riders should come prepared to lay down some records on the ascents. This rolling circuit of the island includes a tough mountain lane as your warm-up, followed by two categorised climbs. We’ll then refuel before a brisk ride home through the Arta Gap. Mileage: A: ~68miles; B&C: ~88miles Lunch: A: 36 miles; B&C: 47 or 59miles

Monday 23 March Sa Calobra or Soller

Today all riders will set out together on a tough parcours. Our first ascent is the infamous Coll de Femenia. We’ll then continue on to the Love Shack, where Group A will turn right to tackle the poster-boy climb of the island, Sa Calobra. Those familiar with the climb can test their fitness on the hunt for a new PR, while newbies have the chance to benchmark themselves. Group B & C will turn left at the Love Shack, passing the twin mountain lakes of Gorg Blau and Cuber to climb to the highest road pass on the island at 881mts. We’ll descend to Port de Soller for lunch before heading straight into the Coll de Soller climb.

Dropping into Bunyola, we’ll head back into the flatlands for a fast ride home across the island! Note: B & C riders can opt for Sa Calobra with Group A. Mileage: A: ~70miles; B&C: ~88miles Coffee stop at Petrol Station 20 miles Lunch: A: 40miles; B&C: 42miles

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Tuesday 24 March Rest Day

For all those leaving today, please see one of the OTE Training Camp staff members for your transfer time. All transfers will leave from outside the hotel reception. For the rest of us, today couldn’t come sooner! There’s a whole host of fantastic destinations for our rest day ride. Pizza in the quiet coastal spot of Son Serra de Marina, Pollenca Old Town to work through the cafe’s comprehensive coffee menu, or Al Canada to name another coffee haunt!

A steady day of easy riding may seem an irrelevance now, but after some tough days of riding on the camp, you’ll savour this. Once back at the hotel, you’ll have the opportunity to relax, get a massage, have a swim, do your laundry, eat pizza at Bella Vista or check out the many cycling shops with lots of new kit and cycling goodies to take home as mementos.

Wednesday 25 March

Meet The Monasteries

The iconic monasteries ride is our Queen Stage for the week. It’s a monster day out! Our first monastery ascent takes us up the Coll de Sa Batailla. We’ll then cross the island to tackle the monastery climb of Cura (commonly known as Randa) offering a fantastic lunch stop with awesome views. Group B & C will then traverse the island to the east to tackle San Salvador, another 500+ metre monastery climb. From San Salvador its back to the rolling South East coast road for a hectic finish into Can Picafort. Hold tight, this is a tough ride for all, in terms of both climbing and distance, so requires sensible pacing and plenty of teamwork.

Mileage: A: ~85miles; B&C 120miles Lunch: A, B&C: ~50miles

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Thursday 26 March Swan Song Our swan song this year is a big loop south with a climb through the infamous Arta gap and a trip to the seaside for a last sun-drenched lunch stop in Cala Millor.

The fun doesn’t stop there, as the return is a big loop to the west, including the corkscrew climb out of the Bosch valley.

From there it’s the final showdown across the island and the very last sprint for the Alcudia sign!!!

Mileage: A, B&C: ~76miles Lunch: A, B&C: ~32miles

Friday 27 March Home Time

Today is the start of your much-needed rest week. It’s time to rest the body and let it absorb the training and adapt to become fitter and stronger. Enjoy one last big breakfast before flying home ready to take the UK cycling season by the horns.

Please see one of the OTE Training Camp staff members for your transfer time. All transfers will leave from outside the hotel reception.

www.otesports.co.uk

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NEW PROTEIN BARS

Packed with 20g of high-quality protein into every 63g bar with only 200 calories and under 2g of sugar.

GET 25% OFF ONLINE AT WWW.OTESPORTS.CO.UK USE THE CODE: OTETRAININGCAMP

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Friday 20 March

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Saturday 21 March

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Sunday 22 March

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Monday 23 March

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Tuesday 24 March

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Wednesday 25 March

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Thursday 26 March Distance: Ascent:

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Get In Touch The OTE Training Camp team are on hand to ensure a hassle-free holiday. For anything you need leading up to or during the camp please contact the Struggle

Nutrition Strategy:

Diary:

Events team: hq@ridethestruggle.com Victoria Tremlin: 07854 661277 Matthew Mannakee: 07748 632348

Order Supplies Everyone will receive an OTE starter pack during the welcome meeting. You will also need any other energy fuel required. We suggest you invest in a bag of energy powder, a tube of Hydro tabs, some protein bars or powder and any necessery bars and gels of your choice. Get 25% off online at www.otesports.co.uk using the code: OTETRAININGCAMP

Travel Insurance Our friends at Pedal Cover are offering 10% off travel insurance if you call and quote Struggle Events or use this link: www.ped.millstreamonline.com/quote/start

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GIRONA

HOME OF THE PROS 9 - 16 OCTOBER 2020